Recent Spider Pairings

[jmugleston]

Avicularia versicolor


Brachypelma klaasi


Haplopelma albostriatum


Nhandu chromatus


Nhandu tripepii


Phlogius sp. "Aussie Goliath"


Poecilotheria fasciata


Poecilotheria fasciata


Poecilotheria fasciata


Psalmopoeus irminia

[bander]

Please excuse my potentially silly question, i have no experience in T's. How often do you lose males during the breeding? don't the females attempt to kill the males?

[jmugleston]

Please excuse my potentially silly question, i have no experience in T's. How often do you lose males during the breeding? don't the females attempt to kill the males?

Not a silly question at all. I get that a lot from more seasoned keepers (as well as some breeders) too. As a general statement, we rarely lose males. That said, there are a few caveats to that.

I watch the spiders (obviously since I photograph them.....but most people don't). That allows me to make sure the females are receptive and the male is up to the task. It also allows me to block overly aggressive females from grabbing the males if they lose interest.

Also, the statement is for more than 100 species that we currently keep. Within that sample there are some species that are more prone to eating males than others. I try to watch them more, but a couple do seem to munch a few before they give in.